Will Smith Performs New Song “You Can Make It” at BET Awards

Will Smith took to the BET Awards stage on Sunday evening to debut a new song, “You Can Make It,” accompanied by the Sunday Service Choir. The scene was set with Smith standing on what appeared to be lava, surrounded by flames, delivering empowering lyrics.

Smith’s verses included lines such as: “The darker the hell you gotta endure / The brighter the heaven you get to enjoy / The harder the fall, the higher you soar / God opens a window when the devil closes the door / Believe me, they tried to bleed Will Smith / In the rearview, I see adversity was the gift / To lift me higher gifts requires faith / So dry your eyes and then you’ll find a way / Out of the madness, out of the maze / And out of the saddest into the rays / The darkest of nights turns into day / And every storm runs out of rain.”

The performance was met with enthusiastic applause, culminating in a standing ovation from the audience. The display also included elements resembling rain, extinguishing the flames as Smith continued with more inspirational lines: “Nobody gets an easy ride / We all have a cross to bear / But there’s wisdom in that fire / And every moment of your life is a brand-new opportunity / We are not being punished, we are being forged / Dance in your darkest moments.”

Details about Smith’s performance and the new song remained under wraps until the BET Awards aired. Connie Orlando, executive vice president of specials, music programming, and music strategy at BET, expressed excitement about Smith’s return: “From his start as a rapper to the Fresh Prince to being a box office king as one of the Bad Boys, Will Smith is truly a global icon, and we are honored to welcome him back to grace the BET Awards stage. We look forward to Will adding to yet another defining night for the culture that is not to be missed.”

Friday saw the release of “You Can Make It,” featuring contributions from Fridayy and the Sunday Service Choir. The Sunday Service Choir echoed the song’s themes in an Instagram post, emphasizing the shared human experience of facing dark times: “Who hasn’t been in a dark place? Who hasn’t gone through the fire? What connects us is knowing that you are not alone. Will Smith reminds us of that common connection! That if you’re willing, there are life lessons in dark places! The journey not only produces healing, but also provides growth and wisdom.”

Smith’s illustrious career began as part of the hip-hop duo DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince, earning hits like “Parents Just Don’t Understand,” “A Nightmare on My Street,” and “Summertime.” His success continued with a solo career, highlighted by tracks such as “Gettin’ Jiggy Wit It” and “Miami.” He then starred in the iconic sitcom “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” and later transitioned to a movie career featuring blockbuster franchises like “Bad Boys,” “Men in Black,” and “Independence Day.”

The actor has received four Oscar nominations, securing a win for Best Leading Actor in 2022 for his role in “King Richard.” That year also marked a contentious moment when Smith slapped Chris Rock on stage at the Academy Awards. Following the incident, Smith apologized, resigned from the Academy, and was banned from attending Academy events for a decade.

In a recent appearance this April, Smith performed “Men in Black” on stage at Coachella with J. Balvin, reminding fans of his memorable role in the 1997 film of the same name.

Taraji P. Henson is hosting this year’s BET Awards, where Usher will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award. Broadcasting live from Downtown Los Angeles, the event celebrates cultural milestones. Smith’s presence is noteworthy, as he previously hosted the show in 2005 alongside Jada Pinkett Smith.

Source: PMC Newsbreak, BET